Lake Race permit approved

As the much-anticipated Lake Race 2013 gets closer, race officials continue to work with the city of Lake Ozark on traffic flow and when and how long the strip and Bagnell Dam will be closed to traffic.

As the much-anticipated Lake Race 2013 gets closer, race officials continue to work with the city of Lake Ozark on traffic flow and when and how long the strip and Bagnell Dam will be closed to traffic.

Aldermen did approve a Special Event permit at their regular meeting Tuesday, but not before they and Chief of Police Mark Maples provided their input and concerns. Jeff Carroll, representing the Bagnell Dam Strip Association, said he was providing racecourse and insurance information not included with the original permit application.

Carroll and race official Mike Shepherd were questioned by aldermen and the chief about when and how long portions of The Strip would be closed and how long the Dam would be closed to traffic.

Initial plans call for Bagnell Dam Blvd. to be closed from near Willmore Lodge on the north side of the dam to Station Drive near Old Time Photos on the south side. Only foot traffic will be allowed on the dam, and some parts of the Dam will be restricted. Ameren Missouri/Bagnell Plant officials are working on security issues during the boat races.

Because of the confusion and concerns, aldermen asked Carroll to meet with Maples to work out the final details.

Between six and eight buses will shuttle people throughout the area. Parking will be available at one or more churches at the top of Bagnell Dam Blvd., in the Dam Bait Shop area below Bagnell Dam, and possibly at the School of the Osage Heritage Building, depending on construction progress related to a $22 million renovation.

Racers and their rigs will be set up on both sides of The Strip and in the parking lot at the bottom of the Strip. The Dam will only be closed during race times.

The Offshore Super Series (OSS), the sanctioning group for the race, will buoy off the perimeter of the actual racecourse, which runs from near Bagnell Dam to midway between Lotell Hollow Cove and Birdsong Hollow Cove. The racecourse is approximately 4.5 miles long.